DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL INTERACTION IN CIVIC CENTRES FOR MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Due to urbanization, civic centre has remained a subject of utmost importance because of its role in the city and human existence at large. Civic centre is the city’s symbolic public space where activities such as ceremonial mass gathering, rallies, convention, social and commercial activities takes place. However, civic centres are places that encourage an inflow of people, therefore, there is need to integrate design strategies that will enhance social interaction in the facility. Yet, little or no attention have been given to civic centres especially in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. This thesis examines the adequacy of social interactive spaces provided in Minna civic centres, Nigeria. The objective is to identify design features and activities that will enhance social interaction in civic centres. Seven civic centres were purposefully selected in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria to enhance the study. A combination of quantitative and descriptive method of research using observation schedule, case studies and questionnaire survey was adopted. The data gathered was analysed using Microsoft excel and four point Likert scale calculation which revealed the inadequacy of interactive spaces in civic centres that could encourage cohesion in the community. The analysis further identifies the various design features in the visited civic centres which shows that fourteen percent (14%) provided features that enhances social interaction such as game arcade, fitness centre, cinema and sporting facilities. The study concludes that there is a need for redirection of designers of civic centres to integrate social interactive spaces that can successfully improve public life. This research therefore proposes making cost-effective inclusion of current interactive spaces to improve their design merely by breaking up the present trend of monotony observed in many civic centre designs. Such interactive spaces include game arcade, departmental store, library, vocational department, restaurant, exhibition halls, seating’s around lobbies and walkways. In addition, attention should be paid to other interactive components such as lighting, accessibility, entertainment and other pull variables that will create an enormous difference in civic centre’s improvement.